The International Holidays Quiz

When you're fighting the crowds at the mall before Christmas or busily preparing a Thanksgiving feast, it can be easy to forget these holidays aren't universal. See how much you know about how people around the world celebrate!

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Question 1 of 30

Celebrated in the spring, Vesak is a major holiday in this religion.

Hinduism

Buddhism

Vesak is a major Buddhist holiday that celebrates the day that the Buddha achieved enlightenment.

Judaism

Question 2 of 30

What does the term "Hanukkah" mean?

celebration

love

dedication

Celebrated in November or December, Hanukkah — a word that means "dedication" — is an important holiday in the Jewish faith.

Question 3 of 30

How long does the Hanukkah holiday last?

eight days

Hanukkah lasts eight days to celebrate an occasion when one day's worth of oil lasted a miraculous eight nights.

five days

one day

Question 4 of 30

In what part of the world do people celebrate St. Lucia Day?

Australia

Asia

Scandinavia

The people of Sweden, Norway and parts of Finland celebrate St. Lucia day each Dec. 13.

Question 5 of 30

When was the African-American festival of Kwanzaa first celebrated?

1966

Kwanzaa was developed in 1966 and blends many traditional African holiday customs.

1866

1766

Question 6 of 30

What does "Kwanzaa" mean?

festival of light

first fruits

Kwanzaa is Swahili for "first fruits." The holiday is an opportunity to celebrate the harvest each year.

night of joy

Question 7 of 30

In which country would you be most likely to celebrate the holiday Tet?

China

Vietnam

Tet is the Vietnamese New Year, an opportunity to remember ancestors while celebrating the year to come.

Japan

Question 8 of 30

Which religion celebrates Basant?

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Basant is a Hindu holiday where people use kites to celebrate and carry messages to the gods.

Question 9 of 30

On what continent do people celebrate Aboakyere?

Asia

Australia

Africa

The people of Ghana in Africa celebrate Aboakyere by hunting deer, antelope and other animals.

Question 10 of 30

Where do residents celebrate Obon?

Japan

Obon is a Japanese holiday where people use lanterns to receive and release the souls of ancestors.

China

Germany

Question 11 of 30

How do the people of northern India celebrate the spring festival of Holi?

with hunting competitions

with lots of water

In northern India, people welcome the spring with a Holi celebration, which consists of a large water fight.

at solemn church services

Question 12 of 30

What event does Passover represent?

the Holocaust

the Jewish day of atonement

the Israelites' departure from Egypt

Passover is a Jewish celebration of the Israelites' departure from Egypt.

Question 13 of 30

What is the name of the traditional Passover meal?

Essen

Yom Kippur

Seder

The traditional Passover meal is known as Seder. During Passover, people celebrating the holiday may not consume bread or other leavened products.

Question 14 of 30

In what country are you most likely to experience a Diwali celebration?

Poland

India

Hindus in India celebrate Diwali, a five day festival of lights and one of the country's most important holidays.

Australia

Question 15 of 30

What does the Christian holiday of Easter represent?

the birth of the Easter bunny

the Israelites' departure from Egypt

the resurrection of Jesus

Easter, which occurs in March or April, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.

Question 16 of 30

On what day do Mexicans celebrate Dia de los Muertos?

Oct. 30

Oct. 31

Nov. 1

The Mexican Day of the Dead is celebrated each Nov. 1.

Question 17 of 30

What is the month-long fasting holiday celebrated by the Islamic population called?

Ramadan

The month-long period of Ramadan requires Muslims to fast from sunrise to sunset each day.

Zakat

Hijri

Question 18 of 30

At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Id al-Fitr, which means what?

festival of food

day of memory

feast of fast-breaking

After a month-long period of fasting, people of the Islamic faith celebrate Id al-Fitr, a feast of fast-breaking.